HC Deb 13 March 1913 vol 50 cc451-2
Mr. LONG

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will be good enough to communicate to the House the intentions of the Government with regard to the business of next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

On Monday we shall take the resolution that Government business shall have precedence for the rest of this month, and the allocation of time for financial business. If time permit thereafter, we hope to take the Second Reading of the Bankruptcy Bill which passed through the other House last Session, or some of the smaller measures that have been reintroduced.

On Tuesday we shall take the Civil Service Vote on account. I understand that the first topic of discussion is the Home Office.

On Wednesday we shall have the Debate to get the Speaker out of the Chair on the Army Estimates.

On Thursday we shall take the Army Estimates Votes A and 1.

Friday, being Good Friday, the House will not sit.

Mr. LONG

That is obviously a very great curtailment of the time that has always been given, and I hope that the Prime Minister will be good enough to tell us now what suggestion he is prepared to make to give further time, if not now, at any rate after the conclusion of the financial year. We quite understand that pressure of time makes it impossible to give more time before the conclusion of the financial year, but after it concludes we think that we are entitled to further time.

The PRIME MINISTER

I said most distinctly on Monday that that was perfectly reasonable. We hope to be guided rather by the wishes of the Opposition as to what Votes they would like to have discussed, and in the first week of April to continue the discussion on the Army and Navy.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman when he proposes to take the Motion for the Select Committee on the Marconi contract?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have answered that already.

Mr. LONG

When will Mr. Speaker be moved out of the Chair on the Navy Estimates?

The PRIME MINISTER

Provisionally speaking—I will state definitely on Monday—on 26th March.

Mr. LOUGH

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend that the House shall meet and adjourn at the usual hour on Thursday, being the day before Good Friday?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Sir, as at present advised.